| Double Dare | |
|---|---|
 Logo for the 2018 revival | |
| Also known as |
|
| Genre | Game show |
| Created by |
|
| Written by |
|
| Directed by |
|
| Presented by | |
| Announcer |
|
| Theme music composer |
|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes |
|
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producers |
|
| Production locations |
|
| Running time | 22–24 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network |
|
| Release | October 6, 1986 (1986-10-06) – February 7, 1993 (1993-02-07) |
| Release | January 22 (2000-01-22) – November 10, 2000 (2000-11-10) |
| Release | June 25, 2018 (2018-06-25) – December 20, 2019 (2019-12-20) |
Double Dare is an Americangame show in which two teams compete to win cash and prizes by answering trivia questions and completing messy stunts called physical challenges. It originally ran from 1986 to 1993. A revival ran in 2000, and the most recent revival ran from 2018 to 2019.
Hosted byMarc Summers, the program originally premiered onNickelodeon on October 6, 1986, as its first game show. A continuation forsyndication premiered on February 22, 1988, later revamped asSuper Sloppy Double Dare on January 22, 1989. The program also had a short run onFox asFamily Double Dare, airing from April 3 to July 23, 1988. Nickelodeon continuedFamily Double Dare, premiering a new version on October 6, 1990. The original series ended on February 7, 1993. The series was revived, hosted byJason Harris, and titledDouble Dare 2000; this aired from January 22 to November 10, 2000. A second revival of the series, hosted byLiza Koshy and featuring Marc Summers, aired from June 25, 2018, to December 20, 2019.
Double Dare saw many adjustments in scheduling and titling throughout its run. Almost immediately after its debut,Double Dare had more than tripled viewership for Nickelodeon's afternoon lineup, becoming the most-watched original daily program oncable television. The program was a major success for Nickelodeon, helping to establish the network as a major player in cable television and to revitalize the genre of game shows for children in the 1980s and 1990s.Double Dare remains Nickelodeon's longest-running game show. In 2001,TV Guide ranked the show number 29 on its list of 50 Greatest Game Shows. The program has been nominated for twoDaytime Emmy Awards, twoKids' Choice Awards, and won aCableACE Award in 1989.
Each team on the originalDouble Dare andSuper Sloppy Double Dare consisted of two children, while teams onFamily Double Dare andDouble Dare 2000 included two adults and two children.[2] Originally, both teams wore red uniforms, but afterDouble Dare entered syndication in 1988, one team wore blue uniforms while the other wore red.[3][4]
Each round begins with a toss-up physical challenge in which both teams compete, with the winning team receiving both initial control of the round, and money for their score. After the toss-up, the host begins asking trivia questions of the team in control. Each correct answer earns a monetary award and allows the team to maintain control, while an incorrect answer or failure to respond within approximately ten seconds turns control over to the opponents. However, the team can dare their opponents to answer the question, doubling its value; in response, the opponents can double dare for quadruple the original value. When the team in control is challenged to a double dare, they have to either answer or compete in a physical challenge. Once a dare or double dare is issued, an incorrect answer or failure to respond within five seconds awards both control and the money at stake to the issuing team. The second round plays the same as the first, with all values doubled.[3][5][6] On the originalDouble Dare andSuper Sloppy Double Dare, a question was initially worth $10. OnFamily Double Dare andDouble Dare 2000, a question was initially worth $25. On the 2018Double Dare, a question was initially worth $50, later 50 points.[3][4][7][8][9]
After the toss-up at the start of the first round, the host explains the rules as follows:
I'm going to ask you a question, and if you don't know the answer, or think the other team hasn't got a clue, you can dare them to answer it for double the dollars. But, be careful, because they can always double dare you back for four times the amount, and then you either have to answer that question or take the physical challenge.[4][8][10][11]
Physical challenges are often messy stunts[2] that a team has to perform in a specified time, usually 20 or 30 seconds, although occasionally 10 or 15 seconds. All physical challenges onDouble Dare 2000 were 30 seconds in length, unless a time reduction was in play due to the Triple Dare Challenge. The team wins money and retained control for completing the stunt. Otherwise, the money and control pass to their opponents.[5]
Many challenges have involved filling a container past a line with one of a variety of substances including water, uncooked rice, green slime, whipped cream, and milk. Others involve catching a specific number of items before time runs out. For example, during "Pies in the Pants," a contestant has to catch a set number of pies in a pair of oversized clown pants within the specified time limit, while their teammate launches the pies from a foot-operated catapult at the opposite end of the stage.[12]
On the originalDouble Dare andSuper Sloppy Double Dare, both contestants on a team competed in all physical challenges. For the 1988 version ofFamily Double Dare, all four members of a team competed in the challenges. On the 1990–93 version ofFamily Double Dare and onDouble Dare 2000, two members of a team competed in round one, and all four members competed in round two. All members of a team competed in physical challenges in the first season of the 2018Double Dare, while most challenges in the second season are for two players.[3][4][9][11]
Double Dare 2000 introduced the Triple Dare Challenge. Available only in round two, this allowed a team to make their physical challenge more difficult, increasing its value by $100, and putting a bonus prize at stake. Difficulties included reducing the time limit, adding an extra item to the stunt, or increasing the overall difficulty of the stunt. The actual modifier was not revealed unless the team decided to accept the challenge. If the team did not complete the challenge successfully, the money, prize, and control went to their opponents.[2]
.jpg)
The higher-scoring team at the end of round two goes on to the bonus round, theobstacle course (renamed the Slopstacle Course forDouble Dare 2000). From the originalDouble Dare throughDouble Dare 2000 both teams keep all money earned, regardless of the outcome.[11] Only the winning team on the 2018 version gets to keep their money.[8]
The course consists of eight obstacles that have to be completed within 60 seconds. Each obstacle has an orange flag either at its end or hidden within it. One team member runs the first obstacle, then passes its flag to a partner, who then moves on to the next obstacle. The team continues to alternate in this manner until they have completed the course or until time expires.[5] For safety reasons, team members are given helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads to wear while running the course.[13]
Many obstacles have appeared in the course rotation, often based on body parts, food, and enlarged items found in daily life.[14] Popular elements of the obstacle course have included The One-Ton Human Hamster Wheel, an oversizedhamster wheel; Pick It, a gianthuman nose with a flag hidden inside; The Sundae Slide, a chocolate-covered ramp leading to aplayground slide withice cream at the bottom; and Gum Drop, which required contestants to leap into a giantgumball machine filled with plastic balls and slide out through the dispensing hatch at the bottom.[14][15]
Through January 2019, the team would win a prize for each obstacle completed, escalating in value up to a grand prize for completing the entire course.[5] Two-person teams split cash earnings from the front game, and both contestants receive the same physical prize for each obstacle. Prizes have included televisions, concert tickets, encyclopedias, electronics, gift certificates, non-motorized modes of transportation and, on the FoxFamily Double Dare, cash.[6] On the original andSuper Sloppy versions, the grand prize was usually a vacation or an experience atSpace Camp. All eight prizes were usually worth a total of between $3,000 and $4,000, with some episodes featuring a prize package nearing $10,000.[16] On the FoxFamily Double Dare, as well as the first season of the Nickelodeon run, the grand prize was a vehicle, making all eight prizes worth between $15,000 and $25,000.[17] Once again, the grand prize was typically a vacation for the second season of Nickelodeon'sFamily Double Dare,Double Dare 2000 and the first season of the 2018Double Dare, with grand prize packages on the 2018 version having a value of more than $6,000.[18][19] With the premiere of the second season of the 2018 revival, the obstacle course was played for $500 cash for each obstacle completed, with a total jackpot of $5,000 for successfully completing the course. Cash values were doubled for the finals game of a tournament series.[9]
According to host Marc Summers, two children were injured on the obstacle course.[20] The first was a boy who hadbrittle bone disease, which his parents lied about on the application form, resulting in an injury during taping where a bone went through his arm.[21] The second was a boy who slipped on the ladder within the "Sewer Chute" and fell backwards, with Summers initially believing he had snapped his neck and died.[21] The boy's father, an attorney, asked for a television prize as a settlement, to which theDouble Dare crew agreed.[21]
In the mid-1980s,Nickelodeon was approached by production and consulting groups with the idea of doing a game show for children, a first for the network.[22] Nickelodeon conducted focus groups and concluded that children enjoyed watching game shows with adults, but they did not have a game show targeted at their demographic.[13][23][24] Dee LaDuke, Robert Mittenthal, Michael Klinghoffer, and Geoffrey Darby worked to develop a new format, basing it on a combination oftrivia,truth or dare, and the board gameMouse Trap.[22] Thepilot presentation was recorded in May 1986, hosted by Darby.[15]Double Dare wasgreenlighted, and Nickelodeon announced its premiere on June 5, 1986.[25][26]
Initial candidates to host the program includedSoupy Sales, host of children'svariety shows in the 1950s and 1960s, and comedianDana Carvey. After Nickelodeon determined Sales to be too old for the role, and Carvey was offered a chance to audition forSaturday Night Live, the search for a host continued. Producers viewed over 1,000 applicants fromNew York orLos Angeles. First attending a tryout in lieu of a friend, and later passing multiple auditions, televisionwarm-up comedianMarc Summers was one of two finalists advancing to a final audition.[27] Each hosted a mock game for Nickelodeon to make an ultimate decision on who would hostDouble Dare. The producers felt the way Summers ended the game by leading into a commercial break was more professional and he was hired for the position in the first week of September 1986.[22][28] Because focus groups showed that the audience thought he was more than 10 years younger than he actually was, Summers, then 34 years old, was obligated by Nickelodeon for years to not mention his age publicly.[27][29]
In need of an announcer,Double Dare producers were made aware ofPhiladelphia-area radio hostJohn Harvey, known on-air as Harvey,[30] whoseHarvey in the Morning program onWIOQ had been canceled months earlier. He accepted the offer to be announcer of the program.[22] Stage assistants also appeared on-camera onDouble Dare, initially only assisting in setting up physical challenges and obstacles, but expanding the role as the series continued to sometimes interacting with Summers, demonstrating challenges, and modeling prizes.[31] Robin Marrella and Dave Shikiar were the two permanent stage assistants when the program began.[15][5]
James Fenhagen and Byron Taylor created the original stage design forDouble Dare. The design for the original series' set was inspired by a 1980s Italian postmodern design and architecture group known as theMemphis Group. Glass brick walls and yellow and pink, often in acheckerboard pattern, were prominent aspects of the set design. Highlighted by blue and yellow tile-style floors, Geoffrey Darby gave the direction for the set to look like anatatorium (swimming pool), while Robert Mittenthal feels its inspiration is derived from abathroom.[15][32] All the originalDouble Dare music was composed byEdd Kalehoff.[33]
Production originated at the studios ofPBS affiliateWHYY-TV in Philadelphia,Pennsylvania. WHYY offered Nickelodeon their newly opened production wing to use, and Nickelodeon felt Philadelphia was a better location to initially produceDouble Dare because of its lower production costs, instead of cities like New York or Los Angeles where national television production is more common.[22][24] The 65-episode first season was recorded in a 23-day period beginning September 18, 1986.[34]Double Dare premiered on Nickelodeon on October 6, 1986. New episodes aired weekdays at 5:30 p.m.ET during the original series' run on Nickelodeon.[35] After the success of the first 65 episodes, a second 65-episode season was ordered.[6]
A weekend edition titledSuper Sloppy Double Dare taped over two weeks in July 1987 and premiered August 2, 1987, airing 26 episodes on Sunday mornings.[36][37][38]Super Sloppy Double Dare featured gameplay identical to the original format; however, physical challenges and obstacles were designed to make a bigger mess. Viewers were encouraged to send in a postcard with their contact information and could win a prize if their card was selected, and a team performing a physical challenge completed the stunt successfully.[39] Episodes ofSuper Sloppy Double Dare were taped at Unitel Studio in New York City before production moved back to WHYY-TV.[40][41]
In July 1987, pilots hosted byCaitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner) were produced byViacom for two possible versions ofDouble Dare with adult players: one pairing celebrities with contestants, and another with married couples. Neither concept advanced to series.[42][43]
By November 1987,Fox announced they had partnered with Viacom to purchase the distribution rights for new episodes of the program insyndication.[44] New episodes ofDouble Dare aired on independent stations and Fox affiliates beginning on February 22, 1988. There were 130 first-run syndication episodes in 1988.[5]
A 13-episode Saturday night edition titledFamily Double Dare aired on Fox from April 3 to July 23, 1988. Teams on this version consisted of four family members, most often a mother, father, and two children. The budget was increased, and the prize total featured during the obstacle course was larger than that featured on the Nickelodeon series.[45] A further 13 episodes ofFamily Double Dare were then ordered, but Fox canceled the series shortly before production was to begin because of "creative differences."[46]
On January 5, 1989, production began on a new version ofSuper Sloppy Double Dare from Philadelphia at WHYY-TV, continuing in syndication.[47] The series premiered on January 22, 1989.[48] The second half of the series was produced atUniversal Studios inOrlando,Florida, with production beginning in April 1989.[49] 55 episodes were taped for the first half,[50] and for the second half, 40 were taped, for a total of 95.[51] This version of the show recorded in larger studios with a larger set allowed for a lower level devoted to physical challenges and obstacles with a bigger size and, typically, bigger messes. Many episodes in this part of the series featured unique and offbeat themes that questions, challenges, and sometimes wardrobe would be patterned after. Themes included a Salute to Baseball,[52] Backwards Day,[53] Stupid Hat Day,[54] a Salute to Breakfast,[55] and two Super-Slop-a-Mania episodes featuring wrestlers and personalities from theWorld Wrestling Federation.[56] Another special episode saw Summers and Harvey each team with a contestant to compete against each other, withJim J. Bullock taking over hosting duties.[56] By the end ofSuper Sloppy Double Dare, the program was syndicated to 154 stations.[13] The series left syndication on September 8, 1989.[5]
Family Double Dare returned to Nickelodeon on August 13, 1990,[5] first airing repeats of the Fox version. ASalute to Double Dare special aired September 2, 1990, with Summers, Harvey, and Marrella highlighting moments fromDouble Dare, discussing its popularity, and previewing the upcomingFamily Double Dare.[56] Nickelodeon launched its own version ofFamily Double Dare on weekends beginning October 6, 1990.[57] Nickelodeon produced the series at the newly openedNickelodeon Studios on the Universal Studios Florida grounds in Orlando. Production began in July 1990 and ended on July 24, 1992, with 80 episodes taped over two seasons.[58] Between the production cycles ofFamily Double Dare, two special episodes ofDouble Dare were recorded on February 6–7, 1992:NBA All-Star Double Dare withNational Basketball Association alumni andSuper Special Double Dare with members of the casts ofClarissa Explains It All andWelcome Freshmen.[59][60]
Jaime Bojanowski and Chris Miles joined Robin Marrella as stage assistants forFamily Double Dare,[5][61] replacing Dave Shikiar who left the series between the ending ofSuper Sloppy Double Dare in 1989 and the beginning ofFamily Double Dare in 1990 to pursue production opportunities on other programs likeThe Home Show andWild & Crazy Kids.[56] In order to spend time with his wife and his newborn son Caleb, Harvey did not announce the last season ofFamily Double Dare in 1992.[62] He was replaced as announcer byDoc Holliday, an Orlando-area radio host onWXXL'sDoc & Johnny in the Morning.[63] Harvey made a cameo appearance on the final episode of the season and the series.[64]
Family Double Dare concluded on February 7, 1993, with a one-hour Tournament of Champions episode.[65][5][66] The episode featured a "brains vs. brawn" mini-tournament where the two families from the final season who answered the most questions correctly played against each other, and the two families from the final season with the fastest obstacle course times played against each other. The winners of those games competed to determine the 1993Family Double Dare champions.[64] Physical challenges fromDouble Dare appeared onNickelodeon All-Star Challenge, a three-part special combining elements from many of Nickelodeon's game shows, airing on October 3, 1994.[67]
Repeats of the originalDouble Dare continued to air on Nickelodeon until March 15, 1991,[5] and returned to Nickelodeon's schedule again from June 12 to September 30, 1994.[68][69] Repeats ofFamily Double Dare remained on the Nickelodeon schedule until January 31, 1999.[70] At this time, development began for the revival that would becomeDouble Dare 2000.[71]
Double Dare has spawned versions in foreign countries throughout the world, including:Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, The Netherlands,Germany, India, andBrazil.[72] Six episodes of the Australian version (produced by Australia'sNetwork Ten) recorded for American consumption, one featuring an American team competing against an Australian team, aired on Nickelodeon during a special marathon on September 3, 1990.[73] Repeats of all versions ofDouble Dare aired in various cycles onNick GAS from the network's inception in 1999 until its closure in 2009.[2] From 2011 to 2019,Double Dare was incorporated into the branding ofTeenNick's classic Nickelodeon blocks The '90s Are All That, and its successor,The Splat (later known as NickSplat and NickRewind). Episodes ofDouble Dare have occasionally aired in these blocks.[74][75]
On December 20, 1999, Nickelodeon announced a revival of the originalDouble Dare show, titledDouble Dare 2000. Production began on January 5, 2000, and the show broadcast its first episode later that same month on January 22, 2000, now hosted byJason Harris with Tiffany Phillips as announcer.[2] Additional episodes were taped in July of the same year.[2][76] Eileen Braun, who worked on the originalDouble Dare as a production assistant and a production coordinator, was the executive producer forDouble Dare 2000. Marc Summers advised on production as an executive consultant.[2] Jeffrey Lamar, Tia Marie Schroeder and Will Finley worked onDouble Dare 2000 as stage assistants.[77][78]
Double Dare 2000 followed theFamily Double Dare format with a revamped set and bigger physical challenges. It also featured the new Triple Dare Challenge option in round two, and referred to the obstacle course as the Slopstacle Course.[2] In association withSony andNational Mobile Television, five episodes ofDouble Dare 2000 were produced inhigh-definition with a16:9 aspect ratio.[79] The episodes were broadcast in a4:3letterboxed format as Nickelodeon did not broadcast in high-definition until 2008.[80] The music forDouble Dare 2000, aSurf Rock style remix of the original soundtrack, was composed by formerCrack the Sky guitarist Rick Witkowski.[81] Byron Taylor again served as set designer.[2] The series concluded on November 10, 2000.[82] Repeats remained on the Nickelodeon schedule until July 29, 2001.[83]
Beginning May 21, 2012,Nickelodeon Suites Resort in Orlando producedDouble Dare as a nightly live stage presentation,Double Dare Live.[84] As part of the Studio Nick feature of the hotel, shows were performed each night exclusively for the resort's guests. The show featured elements and updates from the various versions ofDouble Dare, including remixed music, physical challenges and an obstacle course similar to the TV show. Like the most recent formats of the program, eight contestants were selected to participate for the game-playing teams, while additional audience members played other physical challenges throughout the program. The production continued until Nickelodeon Suites Resort Orlando rebranded as aHoliday Inn Resort on June 1, 2016.[85] A scaled-down version ofDouble Dare Live, calledDouble Dare Challenge, has been presented atNickelodeon Universe inMall of America in seasonal cycles since 2016.[86][87][88]
On July 22, 2016, special live editions ofDouble Dare, produced by Nickelodeon and The Splat with original host Marc Summers, took place at the Fluxx nightclub duringSan Diego Comic-Con 2016.[89] The event was live streamed on The Splat'sFacebook page and included in the later anniversary special. The week of July 25, 2016, The Splat aired aDouble Dare-themed week featuring episodes and moments from the series' history and included edited versions of the Comic-Con games. These events marked Summers' first Nickelodeon-sponsored involvement with the brand sinceDouble Dare 2000.[75]
A half-hour special presentation, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the show's premiere, theDouble Dare Reunion Special, aired on November 23, 2016, onNick at Nite, with an encore airing on The Splat. The special included vintage clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and a new game recorded at San Diego Comic-Con 2016 played by cast members fromAll That. Summers, announcer Harvey, and stage assistant Robin Russo (née Marrella) appeared in the special.[90] 1.126 million viewers watched the special on Nick at Nite, outperforming all other shows on the network for the evening, and finishing as the third-most viewed of all non-sports original cable telecasts among viewers ages 18 to 34 for that day.[91]
In 2017, Summers stated that, due to the success of the special, he was in negotiations to return toDouble Dare in some form with Nickelodeon.[92] News outlets reported in March 2018 that Nickelodeon was producing anew series ofBlue's Clues, and was in negotiations to rebootClarissa Explains It All, two shows originally made by the network in the 1990s.[93][94] Upon learning of these developments, and inspired by the success of other contemporary television revivals likeWill & Grace, Summers emailed Nickelodeon executives to ask if he was going to be the person to receive "the next phone call."[95][96]
On April 25, 2018, Nickelodeon announced a new version ofDouble Dare, which is the second revival of the show.[97] The network ordered 40 episodes that recorded in Los Angeles atCBS Studio Center throughout June 2018.[98][99][100] The series premiered on June 25, airing weeknights.[101] Actress and television/internet personalityLiza Koshy hosted the series. Original host Marc Summers also appeared on the series in an on-camera role. Along with performing traditional duties of an announcer, Summers provided commentary on the show's physical challenges and helped introduce elements and transition the game.[8][101][102]Summers was also one of the show's executive producers.[101]Fremantle produced the series on behalf of Nickelodeon.[101]
The set, designed byJames Pearse Connelly,[103] bore a heavy resemblance to the original set used in the 1980s. Updates included usingdigital screens for displays and decoration, enhanced lighting, and a dedicated space for the obstacle course, though timing and scoring uses emulation of the original vane display-type numerals.[104] Members of the "challenge team" also appeared as stage assistants, including Eric Pierce, Michelle Kallman, James Michael Ryan Jr., and Stad St. Fleur.[8][105] Edd Kalehoff remixed and re-composed the original theme song and soundtrack for this version.[8]
Episodes broadcast predominantly featured teams of two children competing, but some episodes have participation from teams of one child and one adult family member.[106] An episode also aired with teams of three siblings,[107] and one with teams of two children with two adult family members.[108] Some episodes featured celebrity participants, such as actors from past Nickelodeon series competing, includingAll That'sJamie Lynn Spears andJosh Server.[109] The2018 Kids' Choice Sports, which aired on July 20, 2018, culminated with host and basketball playerChris Paul competing against Olympic swimmerMichael Phelps in theDouble Dare obstacle course, presented by Liza Koshy and Marc Summers.[110] Because Koshy had difficulty with her voice during the taping of an episode, Summers filled in as host for the second half of a show, which aired on July 26.[111][112] The first cycle of season one, airing 24 half-hour episodes, concluded on July 27. Episodes resumed airing on September 30, with weekly airings,[113] culminating with a special 60-minute episode featuringKenan & Kel starsKenan Thompson andKel Mitchell aired on November 21.[114][115][116] The final episode of season one aired on February 1, 2019.[113]
In celebration ofSuper Bowl LIII, a special 45-minute episode featuring stars of Nickelodeon comedyCousins for Life andNFL players was recorded on January 31, 2019, at theGeorgia World Congress Center inAtlanta, as part of theSuper Bowl Experience. The episode was simulcast on Nickelodeon,TeenNick, andNicktoons on February 3, the same day Super Bowl LIII was held.[117][118]
In January 2019, casting began for a second season ofDouble Dare.[119] Filming of season two began on February 27 and ran through early March.[120] The season premiered on March 11, with a new tournament format offering cash prizes in the obstacle course. Two teams of four children compete in the first episode, with the winning team splitting up into four individual teams, where each child is paired up with a celebrity. The winning teams from these episodes play against each other in the fourth and final episode of the tournament.[9] The premiere week featured theKids' Choice Awards Tournament, teaming kids with nominees of the 2019 awards. WWE Superstars Week aired the week of April 22, teaming kids with wrestlers in WWE.SpongeBob Week aired the week of July 8, celebrating the 20th anniversary ofSpongeBob SquarePants. Halloween Week aired the week of October 21, celebrating Halloween. The Holiday Tournament aired in four weekly installments, beginning November 29.[121][113] On August 31, 2019, Summers announced thatDouble Dare would not be renewed for a third season. The series concluded with the finals of the Holiday Tournament, which aired on December 20, 2019.[122][123]
On October 29, 2021, Summers hosted a reunion special streamed by Red Tail Entertainment'sDouble Dare Live. TitledDouble Dare Live at 35, the Facebook special featured Harvey, Robin Russo, Jason Harris, and other cast members, crew and contestants fromDouble Dare's runs discussing their experiences with the program.[124]
The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers premieredoff-Broadway on February 22, 2024, featuring a replica of theDouble Dare set and audience members competing in stunts from the program.[125] Robin Russo's daughter Casey Rae Russo served as the show's stage assistant.[126]
Within a month of its premiere,Double Dare had more than tripled viewership for Nickelodeon's afternoon schedule becoming the highest-rated original, daily program on cable.[2][127] DuringDouble Dare's first year, the program averaged a 3.0 householdNielsen rating, with over 1 million households tuned in each week.[6] On its February 1988 debut in syndication, the program averaged a 5.4 household Nielsen rating and a 15.4 rating among children ages 2 to 11,[128] and was the second-highest rated syndicated program in that demographic.[129] By January 1989,Double Dare averaged a 3.1 household Nielsen rating.[130] The special Sunday premiere episode ofFamily Double Dare on Fox on April 3, 1988, scored a 4.0 household Nielsen rating, finishing fifth out of 10 programs broadcast on Fox that week[131][132] helping to give Fox's Sunday night schedule its highest ratings to that point.[133]
WhenDouble Dare 2000 premiered in January 2000, episodes in its first two weeks averaged household Nielsen ratings of up to 3.0, being viewed by up to 2.7 million households, and finishing in the top 25 basic cable programs each week.[134][135]Double Dare 2000 often won its time slot in viewership among children ages 2 to 11.[136]
The June premiere of the 2018 revival was watched by 1.843 million viewers, outperforming all other shows on Nickelodeon for the day, finishing as the highest-rated broadcast for teenagers ages 12 to 17.[137][138]Double Dare's premiere was Nickelodeon's most-viewed series launch among adults 18 to 49 in more than five years.[139] By the end of its second week, viewership for new episodes hovered around one million overall viewers.[140][141][142]
At its peak,Double Dare was the highest-rated, live-action show for children ages 8 to 15.[13] The show was also popular with college students, with many schools offeringDouble Dare fan clubs.[6] Half of Nickelodeon's operating profit in 1988 was due to the success ofDouble Dare and its syndication.[143] On the show's success, then-senior vice-president of Nickelodeon programmingHerb Scannell said thatDouble Dare was like "having a hit record your first time out.Double Dare put Nick on the map."[144]
Double Dare revitalized interest in the concept of a game show for children.[2] Less than a year after the program launched,NBC had premieredI'm Telling!,[6]Lorimar Television had announced plans forFun House, and Nickelodeon'sFinders Keepers began airing—all shows based on competition between teams of children.[23] DuringDouble Dare's first year on television, junior versions of established game shows includingHollywood Squares andThe Cross-Wits were developed for syndication, but ultimately were not produced.[145] Game show executive and producer Bob Boden noted thatDouble Dare "allowed kids to get dirty and have a good time in ways that really were not acceptable before that show".[144]Double Dare remains the longest-running game show produced by Nickelodeon.[75]
AsDouble Dare grew messier, a green slime substance became more commonly used in physical challenges and obstacles. Slime was originally introduced on another Nickelodeon program,You Can't Do That on Television.Double Dare's high viewership led to greater visibility for Nickelodeon's association with slime and saw it featured in promotions for the network in the late 1980s.[22] The substance proliferated further, including annual slimings on the Kids' Choice Awards, a slimegeyser at Nickelodeon Studios, and slime-based segments on other game shows includingWild & Crazy Kids andFigure It Out. The relationship between Nickelodeon and slime still lasts on the network.[146]
Reviews of the show were often favorable, noting it was fun entertainment for the family. AfterDouble Dare premiered, Kenneth R. Clark, media writer for theChicago Tribune, observed that when contestants "squeal and make faces, it is somehow natural, wholesome and infectious," and said, "Double Dare is so refreshing."[147] Noel Holston of theMinneapolis Star and Tribune wrote that "kids and game shows, when you think about it, go together like hot fudge and ice cream".[148]The Orange County Register's Ellen T. Klein saidDouble Dare is "such fast-paced, furious and messy fun" and rated the show as "good".[149] In 1988, television criticKen Tucker cited the interaction between, and the performances of host Marc Summers and announcer Harvey as "the not-so-secret ingredients in the show's success in drawing adult, as well as youthful, viewers".[150]
Some criticism came from the feeling that the program was not educational.[6][151] Others were concerned aboutfood waste like beans and eggs in physical challenges and obstacles.[22][152] In a "Cheers and Jeers" section in 1988,TV Guide gave "jeers" toDouble Dare for "daring to push beyond the limits of good taste," saying it was "gross and insulting to watch."[153] In 1989, television and film criticJeffrey Lyons wrote that he "wouldn't dream of proclaiming thatSuper Sloppy Double Dare is good for your child. But what's wrong with watching an admittedly dumb—but hilarious—program just for fun?"[154]
Andrea Graham wrote forCommon Sense Media that revival seriesDouble Dare 2000 is a "fun, action-filled game show that families can watch together – amid all the slime are some good messages about family togetherness".[155] Original host and executive consultant forDouble Dare 2000 Marc Summers said that "there were issues" with the revival. In an interview withAfterBuzz TV, he said that he felt the length of the Triple Dare Challenge took away from the game and that "if we would have done it the way we originally did it, we would have been fine, but unfortunately, it didn't happen".[156]
The 2018 revival ofDouble Dare premiered to positive reviews, particularly for host Liza Koshy. Reality Blurred'sAndy Dehnart said that the reboot "did an excellent job of balancing the old and new," and praised the combination of Koshy and Marc Summers, saying she "can absolutely hold her own as host," and "her rapport with [Summers] felt natural and playful."[104] Joel Keller of theNew York Post's Decider observed that "the show belongs to Koshy, who ad-libs well and makes the kids feel at ease," and gaveDouble Dare a favorable "stream it" rating.[157]
Double Dare was nominated for aCableACE Award in the Game Show Special or Series category at the 1989 and 1993 ceremonies, winning the award in 1989, but losing toMTV'sLip Service in 1993.[158][159][160] Dana Calderwood was nominated for aDaytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Children's Series in 1989.[161] Nickelodeon was nominated for a 1988 Golden ACE award, cable's then-highest programming honor, for its "pro-social television," includingDouble Dare by name.[162] In January 2001,TV Guide ranked the show number 29 on its list of 50 Greatest Game Shows.[163] At the2019 Kids' Choice Awards,Double Dare was nominated in the category of Favorite Reality Show, and Liza Koshy and Marc Summers were nominated as a duo in the category of Favorite TV Host.[164]Double Dare was honored at the47th Daytime Emmy Awards in 2020 with an Emmy nomination forOutstanding Game Show.[165]
Double Dare has been featured in a number of notable visual media since its premiere, often with one or more characters participating as contestants in homages to the series. On "Double Dare", a 2016 episode of the 1980s-set sitcomThe Goldbergs, Adam Goldberg (Sean Giambrone) tries to find the perfect partner to audition to be a contestant onDouble Dare. After rejecting his friend Emmy Mirsky (Stephanie Katherine Grant), he eventually runs through a mock obstacle course at a tryout with his grandfather Albert "Pops" Solomon (George Segal). Neither are selected to take part in the program.[166] Benjamin Bauman and Amy Gross, real-life friends of series' creatorAdam F. Goldberg who appeared as contestants onDouble Dare in 1988, cameo as producers of the show.[167] A first-season episode of the 2013 Nickelodeon seriesSanjay and Craig titled "Trouble Dare" features the titular characters (voiced byMaulik Pancholy andChris Hardwick), along with Sanjay's mother and father (voiced byGrey Griffin andKunal Nayyar), leaving their home after a bug infestation. After asking Remington Tufflips (voiced byChris D'Elia) to stay in his trailer and finding that the Dickson family is already occupying it, Tufflips decides which family can stay through a game ofFamily Double Dare hosted by himself. Harvey (voiced by himself) is concerned with how Tufflips is running the game until Marc Summers (voiced by himself) appears and declares Sanjay's family the winners of a night's sleep inside the Pick It obstacle.[168] AnotherFamily Double Dare game is seen in the music video for rock bandGood Charlotte's 2011 single "Last Night." The video shows an abridged game ofFamily Double Dare, going through questions, physical challenges, and the obstacle course. Marc Summers appears as himself, guitaristBenji Madden appears as Harvey, and band members play contestants and stage assistants.[169][170] In July 2020, an episode in season four of Nickelodeon'sThe Loud House aired titled "How Double Dare You!" in which the Loud family siblings attempt to get onDouble Dare.[171]
Double Dare has also been subject to parodies and spoofs in various forms. The October 1988 issue ofMad has a spoof ofDouble Dare called "Double Damp". Marc Summers and Harvey are lampooned as "Muck Slummers" and "Hardly". The piece mocked the program's use of food products, the dangerous nature of some stunts, and the similarity to game showBeat the Clock.[172] Both Summers and Harvey consider being parodied inMad a high point in their careers.[173][174] A 2015 episode of thetruTV sketch comedy seriesFriends of the People titled "Double Dare" guest stars Marc Summers as himself, hosting "banned" moments fromDouble Dare. Sketches include a contestant exploding, and another being stuck permanently inside an obstacle.[175] "March Dadness," a 2012 episode ofThe Cleveland Show, features a flashback to aFamily Double Dare-like program calledDare Squared. A youngCleveland Brown (voiced byMike Henry) has difficulty finding an orange flag in an oversized stack of pancakes at the end of the program's obstacle course. Marc Summers voices the frustrated host.[176] Also, in a 2017 episode ofBilly on the Street, hostBilly Eichner led guestKeegan-Michael Key through an obstacle course withgun law themes titledSuper Sloppy Semi-Automatic Double Dare.[177] Eichner has citedDouble Dare as a favorite show of his.[178]
Reebok has been a major sponsor ofDouble Dare throughout its run. Every contestant and stage crew member wore a pair of the company's shoes.[179] Additional corporate sponsorships and tie-ins were proposed, includingCasio putting their logo on the stage clock,[32] and aDouble Dare-branded breakfast cereal,[180] but Nickelodeon declined the offers.
From 1987 to 1995, variousDouble Dare live tours visited venues around the United States. Featuring a format similar to the TV show wherein members of a live local audience could participate, the tour would later incorporate aspects ofWhat Would You Do?, another show hosted by Marc Summers for Nickelodeon.[181] Some events in these tours sold-out arenas they were held in, with attendance of more than 20,000 spectators.[182] The tours and events resumed in 2000 to promoteDouble Dare 2000.[183] Beginning October 30, 2018, a version ofDouble Dare once again began touring nationwide. Marc Summers served as host, with previousDouble Dare personality Robin Russo appearing as well. The tour ran through the end of 2019.[184][185]
Double Dare's lasting popularity has led to a variety of products being made available.Pressman Toy Corporation released two traditional board games based on the show: TheDouble Dare home game was released in September 1987[186] andWet 'N Wild Double Dare was released in March 1989.[187] Another board game titledDouble Dare: The Game was manufactured byMattel in 2001.[188]GameTek published aPC game in 1988,[189] and avideo game for theNintendo Entertainment System in 1990 based on the program.[190] Stages based onDouble Dare are playable in the 2020racing gameNickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix,[191] and as adownloadable content update in the 2021fighting gameNickelodeon All-Star Brawl.[192] Containing facts about the show, along with trivia and activities to host a home version of the game, two editions ofThe Double Dare Game Book were released byParachute Press in 1988 and 1989.[30][193] Based on substances referenced onDouble Dare andDouble Dare 2000, Mattel andJakks Pacific manufactured a series of toy slimes called Gak and Goooze.[136][194] Other toys, apparel, lunchboxes, and school supplies have been sold featuring the show's logo and art.[179]
Double Dare was heavily featured in the summer 2016 "Remember When" promotion at New York concept store STORY. Their partnership with Nickelodeon offered exclusive in-store products likeDouble Dare T-shirts and other goods designed in the style of the program's themes. Patrons at STORY could also participate inDouble Dare experiences, like running the One-Ton Human Hamster Wheel obstacle. As well, otherDouble Dare-inspired products available in-store, includingKeds shoes andStance socks, were offered online through retail partnerNeiman Marcus.[195]
Four collections ofDouble Dare highlights and special features were released on home video by Kids Klassics on October 1, 1988,—Double Dare: The Inside Scoop andDouble Dare: The Messiest Moments.[196] On October 17, 1989, a home party guide titledHow to Throw a Double Dare Party was released byElektra Video.[197]Sony Wonder releasedDouble Dare: Super Sloppiest Moments on May 31, 1994.[198]
Collections of episodes of the originalSuper Sloppy Double Dare and versions ofFamily Double Dare were made available for purchase viadigital distribution onAmazon Prime Video and theiTunes Store throughout 2013.[199][200] A DVD titledNickelodeon Games and Sports: All-Star Collection, released by Nickelodeon forAmazon.com on April 27, 2015, features an episode of the originalSuper Sloppy Double Dare andFamily Double Dare.[201] Added at launch in August 2018, select episodes ofDouble Dare 2000 were available to view on the now defunct NickSplat channel onOtter Media'sVRV streaming service.[202] 246 episodes from the first three years of the originalDouble Dare were added to the now defunct NickHits channel, available on Prime Video andApple TV, in December 2019,[203] and later added toParamount+ (formerly CBS All Access) in January 2021.[204] Recent versions were added to channels onParamount Global'sover-the-topstreaming television servicePluto TV.[205]
Episodes of the 2018 version ofDouble Dare are available for purchase through many online video retailers, sold individually and in multi-episode volumes.[206] The first season of the 2018 version was added to Paramount+ in March 2021, with the second season being added in December of that same year.[207] In August 2018, aDouble Dare game was released onFacebook Messenger, allowing users to play against friends or other Messenger users in a turn-based version of the program.[208]
If things look a little bit different to you folks today, it's because itis a little bit different. Today, we are shooting on HD: high-definition television.
designing the new @officialdoubledare was a childhood dream come true.
{{cite podcast}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link){{cite book}}:|website= ignored (help)